Marinized Vaporizer Units, And Methods Of Making And Using Same

ABSTRACT

Floating marinized water bath vaporizer utilizing a slosh chamber having reduced water surface area to reduce the effects of wave created which the vaporizer is in motion, and systems utilizing such vaporizer, and to methods of making and using such vaporizer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This utility application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/588,511 filed Nov. 20, 2017 and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/630,218 filed Feb. 13, 2018, with all ofthe foregoing applications herein incorporated by reference for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to LNG, and to methods and apparatus forprocessing LNG. In another aspect, the present invention relates tovaporizer units, to systems incorporating such vaporizer units, tomethods of making and using such units and systems, and to methods ofprocessing liquids using same. In even another aspect, the presentinvention relates to marinized vaporizer units, to floating storage andregas vessels/units (FSRU) incorporating such vaporizer units, tomethods of making and using same, to methods of processing liquidsutilizing such units, and to gases produced thereby. In even anotheraspect, the present invention relates to methods of modifying floatingvessels, to methods of making and using same, to methods of processingliquids, and to gases produced thereby. In still another aspect, thepresent invention relates to methods of modifying an LNG Carrier into afloating storage and regas vessel, to methods of making and using same,to methods of processing LNG, and to LNG and/or natural gas producedthereby. In yet another aspect, the present invention relates tovaporizing units, to methods of making vaporizing units, and to methodsof modifying vaporizing units, and to methods of using same, and tovaporized products produced therefrom.

2. Brief Description of the Related Art

The international LNG trade has evolved substantially since the firstcommercialization of shipping of LNG from Algeria to the UK in 1964.Massive, large scale, LNG liquefaction facilities have been built inTrinidad, Africa, Middle East, Australia, Russia, Norway and now in theU.S. the shale gas revolution. In the past, the massive and costly LNGliquefaction facilities have been underpinned by long term take-or-paycontracts with large utility companies in Japan, Korea and severalEuropean countries. The price of LNG was indexed to the price of oil.This arrangement made the commodity price of LNG very volatile andsignificant hedging was required to manage price risk.

LNG is traditionally transferred from the liquefaction facility to largeLNG carrier ships (LNGC) and transported to remote markets. The LNG isthen transferred from LNG carrier ships (LNGC) to large, onshore,storage tanks at LNG import facilities. The LNG import facility isequipped with pumps that deliver LNG to vaporizers (special heatexchangers) at high pressure. The LNG is heated to near ambientconditions in the vaporizers and sent to various gas customers throughpipelines.

Various methods of heating the LNG have been used at these onshorefacilities including:

A. Open rack vaporizers (ORV): LNG is vaporized in vertical fin tubes bydirect contact with warm seawater deluged over the outside of fin tubes.

B. Submerged combustion vaporizers (SCV): A small amount of natural gasis consumed as fuel and the hot exhaust gas is directly injected into abath of water to heat the bath. LNG is vaporized in a separate tubebundle in the bath as the heat is transferred from the water to the tubebundle. The bath of an SCV absorbs the CO2 and NOX from the combustiongases and slowly reducing the pH, making the water acidic. Caustic isadded to buffer and neutralize the acid. Salts are created in theneutralization process. Water from the combustion products is alsocondensed in the bath. The excess salty water is removed, treated andsent to the environment.

C. Water bath vaporizers (WBV): LNG is indirectly heated in tub bundlesimmersed in a tank of water of water. The water is heated indirectlyusing burners and firetubes. WBVs are not as efficient as SCVs, but theyhave found extensive at many, small scale gas utilities desiringon-demand vaporizing capacity. Unlike the SCVs, the water in the WBVsnever comes in contact with the combustion products. The water qualityin the bath is not affected by the heating process. Water treatment andenvironmental issues are eliminated.

A typical water bath vaporizer is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.4,203,300, issued May 20, 1980, to Hanson et al., showing a horizontaldirect fired water bath propane vaporizer.

More specifically, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20170067373, publishedMar. 9, 2017 by Allam et al., discloses an integrated power generatingsystem and method and liquefied natural gas (LNG) vaporization systemand method. Referring now to Allam Publication '373 at ¶[0059], aconventional LNG re-gasification system generally utilizes a multistagecentrifugal pump to pump the LNG to a high pressure after which it isvaporized in a water bath heat exchanger that is heated by burningnatural gas. In the example shown in Allam's FIG. 2, LNG is stored in atank. LNG flows out of the base of the tank along LNG supply line and ispressurized in a pump to about 70 bar (7 MPa). The pressurized LNG isdischarges through a discharge line and enters a water bath vaporizer,which is maintained at a temperature of about 50° C. to about 90° C. bymeans of a burner that is fed by a pressurized fuel gas streamcomprising a mixture of air provided through an air line and natural gasprovided through an NG burner fuel line. The burner has an outlet tubethat is submerged up to about 2 meters below the surface of the water inthe water bath so that the combustion products must rise through and mixwith the water thus heating the water. This arrangement leads to thecondensation of much of the water produced by combustion of the naturalgas, thus increasing the efficiency of the heating system. The cooledcombustion gases are vented to the atmosphere along a vent line. Thenatural gas fuel is taken from the LNG tank boil-off line as a boil-offstream, which is compressed to the required burner pressure in anelectrically driven boil-off blower. The air through the atmospheric airline required for combustion is purified through a filter, and iscompressed to the burner pressure in the electrically driven burnerpressure blower. The remaining LNG tank boil-off stream flows through aboil-off compressor line and is compressed to about 69 bar (6.9 MPa) ina boil-off compressor resulting in a compressed boil-off NG stream,which is mixed with the product natural gas steam exiting the vaporizerto produce the total natural gas pipeline flow stream at a pressure ofabout 69 bar (6.9 MPa) and a temperature of about 15° C. The quantity ofnatural gas consumed in the burner to convert the LNG to pipeline gastypically is about 1.55% of the total natural gas flow in the pipelinestream.

D. Shell & tube vaporizer (STV): STVs are used at small scale utilitiesand at several midscale LNG import terminals. STVs require andcirculating intermediate loop to exchange the heat from warm seawater orwarm cooling water with the intermediate circulating fluid on the shellside of the exchanger to heat the LNG on the tube side of thevaporizers.

E. Direct ambient air vaporizers (AAV): AAVs transfer heat from ambientair directly to the LNG flowing through fin tubes. AAVs are usedextensively at industrial gas consumers to vaporize cryogenic liquidindustrial oxygen, nitrogen and argon. They are used at small scale LNGfacilities to vaporize small amounts of LNG. They are also applied inlarge scale applications at a few import terminals.

F. Various other minor vaporizers technologies have also been deployedonshore for vaporization.

In 2001, a revolutionary LNG concept was brought to the LNG marketplace.It was conceived a new way to deliver natural gas to remote markets. Theidea was a Floating Storage and Regas Units (FSRU). FSRU are LNGCs orLNG barges that have with self-contained vaporization systems. The FSRUis equipped with high discharge pressure LNG pumps, STVs andboil-off-gas compressors to vaporize the LNG. The high-pressure gas fromthe vaporizer is transferred to shore by high pressure marine arms or ahigh pressure subsea gas pipeline. Most FSRUs utilize the heat ofseawater to vaporize LNG. They typically use STV systems forvaporization. Warm seawater is either pumped directly to the shell sideof the STVs or to heat exchangers in an intermediate circulating loop.Most intermediate fluids used are mixtures of ethylene glycol and wateror propane. The warm seawater or the warm glycol water in theintermediate loop is used on the shell side of the STVs to vaporize theLNG on the tube side of the STV.

For non-limiting examples of FSRU's, please see the followingnon-exhaustive list of patents.

EP Patent Application No. 1809940, filed Nov. 8, 2004, with inventorsBowring et al, discloses an offshore liquefied natural gas floatingstorage regasification unit that may receive, store, and processliquefied natural gas from carriers. A floating storage regasificationunit may include transfer equipment to offload liquefied natural gasfrom a carrier, a first mooring system to provide for mooring of afloating storage regasification unit at a location in a body of water, asecond mooring system to provide for mooring a carrier to the floatingstorage regasification unit, and combinations thereof. A portion of thefloating storage regasification unit may be composed of a double-hullcontainment structure.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,079,321, issued Dec. 20, 2011 to Balasubramanin, for along tank FSRU/FLSV/LNGC, discloses a method and apparatus for storingliquid within a storage tank such that a natural resonance of fluidmotion of the stored fluid falls between natural resonance periods of afloating vessel that includes the storage tank. As a result, resonantenergy of the floating vessel imparted to fluid stored in the storagetank may be controlled and sloshing loads may be reduced, therebyavoiding damage to the floating vessel.

The time required to plan, permit, engineer, construct and commission aconventional onshore LNG import terminal is typically 5-10 years. Theintroduction of the FSRU allows this time to be reduced to less than 2years. FSRU owners and operators who speculate, build and have thevessels in inventory can often reduce this construction time to lessthan 1 year (in some cases 6 months). The FSRU asset can be utilized forshort term winter peaking or while a conventional LNG terminal is builtand then relocated to other markets locations. Since the initialintroduction, the market now includes new, purpose-built FSRUs. Further,older inefficient LNGCs have also been converted to new service asFSRUs.

The FSRU has revolutionized the industry. Ship owners and operators arepurchasing new purpose built FSRUs for new markets and on speculationdue to the high demand. There are currently over 340 million metric tonsper annum (MTPA) of LNG production capacity with over 850 MTPA ofadditional capacity proposed (IGU World LNG Report—2017). Globalvaporization (regas) capacity is 800 MTPA, however much of this capacityis overbuilt and underutilized in markets with excess gas or only needthe excess capacity during peak demand periods. Currently over 80 MTPAof FSRU regas capacity is in active service representing 10% of theworld regas capacity. There is currently an excess supply of LNG in theworld market. Prices have dropped substantially, and the lower pricesare attracting demand from many energy starved cities, countries andmarkets. Lower pricing has led to more open market opportunities forniche players to gain access to competitively priced LNG. At the sametime the LNG carriers have become larger and more fuel efficient and candeliver LNG at lower day rates. This leaves many LNGC owners andoperators with older, smaller, and less efficient 1st and 2nd generationLNG carriers that are not profitable. These ship owners and operatorsare seeking opportunities to redeploy these vessels in other profitableroles such as floating storage units (FSU) or converting them to FSRUs.

To utilize FSRUs in cold climates, environmentally sensitive areas orshallow water harbors where seawater cannot be utilized, the FSRUs mustuse process heat to supply warm circulating intermediate fluid to thevaporizers. Current FSRUs utilize some of the steam available from theship propulsion steam generators supply the necessary heat to theintermediate fluid for vaporization. This heating method is inefficientand requires significant costly integration into the ship machineryspaces. Additional power, switchgear and switchboards are also requiredto supply the power for the LNG pumps and intermediate fluid circulatingpumps.

There is currently a limited number of technology suppliers andshipyards around the world that supply new built FSRUs or convert LNGCsto FSRUs.

Water bath vaporizers are not believed to be useful for use in offshorefacilities, floating facilities, and/or marine vessels. Such water bathvaporizers are never completely filled with water because expansion ofthe water with a temperature increase creates a rupture risk, so waterbath vaporizers are never fully filled but rather filled in such amanner that there is always an air/vapor gap left in the top of thewater bath vaporizer. Completely filling a water bath vaporizer with hotwater does not eliminate this gap, as a temperature decrease causesthermal shrinkage and resulting in the forming of the air gap.

There will be a water surface formed at the interface of the water andthe air gap. It is this water surface that will allow for formation of awave should the water bath vaporizer be subjected to movement. Thecreated wave can be dangerous and destructive.

There is a need in the art for an improved water bath vaporizer, formethods of making and using such a vaporizer, for methods of vaporizingliquids utilizing such a vaporizer, for systems utilizing/incorporatingsuch vaporizer, to methods of modifying existing equipment by additionor substitution of such a vaporizer, and to modified equipmentcomprising such a vaporizer.

There is another need in the art for an improved water bath vaporizerthat can be operated while subjected to motion, for methods of makingand using such a vaporizer, for methods of making and using such avaporizer, for methods of vaporizing liquids utilizing such a vaporizer,for systems utilizing/incorporating such vaporizer, to methods ofmodifying existing equipment by addition or substitution of such avaporizer, and to modified equipment comprising such a vaporizer.

There is even another need in the art for an improved water bathvaporizer for vaporizing cryogenic fluids, for methods of making andusing such a vaporizer, for methods of vaporizing liquids utilizing sucha vaporizer, for systems utilizing/incorporating such vaporizer, tomethods of modifying existing equipment by addition or substitution ofsuch a vaporizer, and to modified equipment comprising such a vaporizer.

There is still another need in the art for an improved water bathvaporizer that can be utilized in offshore facilities, floatingfacilities, and/or marine vessels, for methods of making and using sucha vaporizer, for methods of vaporizing liquids utilizing such avaporizer, for offshore facilities, floating facilities, and/or marinevessels that utilize/incorporate such vaporizer, to methods of modifyingexisting offshore facilities, floating facilities, and/or marine vesselsby addition or substitution of such a vaporizer, and to modifiedoffshore facilities, floating facilities, and/or marine vesselscomprising such a vaporizer.

There is yet another need in the art for an improved water bathvaporizer for vaporizing cryogenic fluids on offshore facilities,floating facilities, and/or marine vessels, for methods of making andusing such a vaporizer, for offshore facilities, floating facilities,and/or marine vessels that utilize/incorporate such vaporizer, tomethods of modifying existing equipment by addition or substitution ofsuch a vaporizer, and to modified offshore facilities, floatingfacilities, and/or marine vessels comprising such a vaporizer.

There is even still yet another need in the art for an improved waterbath vaporizer for vaporizing LNG on offshore facilities, floatingfacilities, and/or marine vessels, for methods of making and using sucha vaporizer, for offshore facilities, floating facilities, and/or marinevessels that utilize/incorporate such vaporizer, to methods of modifyingexisting equipment by addition or substitution of such a vaporizer, andto modified offshore facilities, floating facilities, and/or marinevessels comprising such a vaporizer.

These and other needs in the art will become apparent upon the review ofthis written specification, claims and/or drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention, to provide for an improvedwater bath vaporizer, for methods of making and using such a vaporizer,for methods of vaporizing liquids utilizing such a vaporizer, forsystems utilizing/incorporating such vaporizer, to methods of modifyingexisting equipment by addition or substitution of such a vaporizer, andto modified equipment comprising such a vaporizer.

It is another object of the present invention, to provide for animproved water bath vaporizer that can be operated while subjected tomotion, for methods of making and using such a vaporizer, for methods ofmaking and using such a vaporizer, for methods of vaporizing liquidsutilizing such a vaporizer, for systems utilizing/incorporating suchvaporizer, to methods of modifying existing equipment by addition orsubstitution of such a vaporizer, and to modified equipment comprisingsuch a vaporizer.

It is even another object of the present invention, to provide for animproved water bath vaporizer for vaporizing cryogenic fluids, formethods of making and using such a vaporizer, for methods of vaporizingliquids utilizing such a vaporizer, for systems utilizing/incorporatingsuch vaporizer, to methods of modifying existing equipment by additionor substitution of such a vaporizer, and to modified equipmentcomprising such a vaporizer.

It is yet another object of the present invention, to provide for animproved water bath vaporizer that can be utilized in offshorefacilities, floating facilities, and/or marine vessels, for methods ofmaking and using such a vaporizer, for methods of vaporizing liquidsutilizing such a vaporizer, for offshore facilities, floatingfacilities, and/or marine vessels that utilize/incorporate suchvaporizer, to methods of modifying existing offshore facilities,floating facilities, and/or marine vessels by addition or substitutionof such a vaporizer, and to modified offshore facilities, floatingfacilities, and/or marine vessels comprising such a vaporizer.

It is still another object of the present invention, to provide forvaporizing cryogenic fluids on offshore facilities, floating facilities,and/or marine vessels, for methods of making and using such a vaporizer,for offshore facilities, floating facilities, and/or marine vessels thatutilize/incorporate such vaporizer, to methods of modifying existingequipment by addition or substitution of such a vaporizer, and tomodified offshore facilities, floating facilities, and/or marine vesselscomprising such a vaporizer.

It is yet another object of the present invention, to provide for animproved water bath vaporizer for vaporizing LNG on offshore facilities,floating facilities, and/or marine vessels, for methods of making andusing such a vaporizer, for offshore facilities, floating facilities,and/or marine vessels that utilize/incorporate such vaporizer, tomethods of modifying existing equipment by addition or substitution ofsuch a vaporizer, and to modified offshore facilities, floatingfacilities, and/or marine vessels comprising such a vaporizer.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparentupon the review of this written specification, claims and/or drawings.

According to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, thereis provided a marinized water bath vaporizer. This vaporizer may includea water vaporizer chamber having a water vaporizer chamber horizontalcross-sectional area. This vaporizer may also include a sloshing chamberin liquid communication with and positioned on top of the watervaporizer chamber, wherein at a selected fill level the sloshing chamberhas a sloshing horizontal cross-sectional area that is substantiallyless than the water vaporizer horizontal cross-sectional area. Thevaporizer may also include a water bath filling said water vaporizerchamber and said sloshing chamber such that the water vaporizer chamberis substantially full of water with the sloshing chamber partiallyfilled with water to the selected fill level with a horizontalwater-vapor interface created in the sloshing chamber at the selectedfill level, with the surface area of the water at the inface beingsubstantially equal to the water vapor chamber horizontalcross-sectional area. The vaporizer may also include a heating systemproviding heat to the water bath. This vaporizer may also include avaporizer heat exchange loop immersed in said water vaporizer chamberand immersed in said water bath, said loop having an inlet end and anoutlet end; an inlet pipe extending from outside the vaporizer chamberto connect with the inlet end of said heat transfer loop to carry afluid to be heated into said loop; and, an outlet pipe extending fromsaid outlet ends to the outside of the vaporizer chamber to carry saidfluid away from said loop after it has been heated.

According to another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention,there is provided a method of vaporizing a liquid, in a water vaporizerchamber having a water vaporizer chamber horizontal cross-sectional areawith a sloshing chamber in liquid communication with and positioned ontop of the water vaporizer chamber, wherein the sloshing chamber has asloshing horizontal cross-sectional area that is substantially less thanthe water vaporizer horizontal cross-sectional area, wherein a waterbath fills said water vaporizer chamber and said sloshing chamber suchthat the water vaporizer chamber is substantially full of water with thesloshing chamber partially filled with water with a horizontal waterlevel created in the sloshing chamber, with a vaporizer heat exchangeloop immersed in said water vaporizer chamber and surrounded by saidwater bath. The method may include circulating the liquid through thevaporizer heat exchange loop to vaporize the liquid.

According to another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention,there is provided a method of vaporizing multiple liquids, in a watervaporizer chamber having a water vaporizer chamber horizontalcross-sectional area with a sloshing chamber in liquid communicationwith and positioned on top of the water vaporizer chamber, wherein thesloshing chamber has a sloshing horizontal cross-sectional area that issubstantially less than the water vaporizer horizontal cross-sectionalarea, wherein a water bath fills said water vaporizer chamber and saidsloshing chamber such that the water vaporizer chamber is substantiallyfull of water with the sloshing chamber partially filled with water witha horizontal water level created in the sloshing chamber, with multiplevaporizer heat exchange loops immersed in said water vaporizer chamberand surrounded by said water bath. The method may include circulatingeach of the multiple liquids though at least one of the multiplevaporizer heat exchange loops to vaporize the liquid.

According to another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention,there is provided a floating marinized water bath vaporizer. Thevaporizer may include a floating substrate floating in a body of water.The vaporizer may include a water vaporizer chamber supported by thesubstrate and having a water vaporizer chamber horizontalcross-sectional area. The vaporizer may include a sloshing chamber inliquid communication with and positioned on top of the water vaporizerchamber, wherein at a selected fill level the sloshing chamber has asloshing horizontal cross-sectional area that is substantially less thanthe water vaporizer horizontal cross-sectional area. The vaporizer mayinclude water bath filling said water vaporizer chamber and saidsloshing chamber such that the water vaporizer chamber is substantiallyfull of water with the sloshing chamber partially filled with water tothe selected fill level with a horizontal water-vapor interface createdin the sloshing chamber at the selected fill level, with the surfacearea of the water at the inface being substantially equal to the watervapor chamber horizontal cross-sectional area. The vaporizer may includea heating system providing heat to the water bath. The vaporizer mayinclude a vaporizer heat exchange loop immersed in said water vaporizerchamber and immersed in said water bath, said loop having an inlet endand an outlet end; an inlet pipe extending from outside the vaporizerchamber to connect with the inlet end of said heat transfer loop tocarry a fluid to be heated into said loop; and, an outlet pipe extendingfrom said outlet ends to the outside of the vaporizer chamber to carrysaid fluid away from said loop after it has been heated.

According to another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention,there is provided a travelling floating marinized water bath vaporizer,similar to the embodiment above, except the substrate is a travellingfloating substrate travelling on a body of water.

According to another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention,there is provided an anchored floating marinized water bath vaporize,similar to the two embodiments immediately above, except that thesubstrate is an anchored floating substrate anchored in a body of water.

According to another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention,there is provided a method of vaporizing a liquid, in a water vaporizerchamber supported by a floating substrate floating in a body of water,the water vaporizing chamber having a water vaporizer chamber horizontalcross-sectional area with a sloshing chamber in liquid communicationwith and positioned on top of the water vaporizer chamber, wherein thesloshing chamber has a sloshing horizontal cross-sectional area that issubstantially less than the water vaporizer horizontal cross-sectionalarea, wherein a water bath fills said water vaporizer chamber and saidsloshing chamber such that the water vaporizer chamber is substantiallyfull of water with the sloshing chamber partially filled with water witha horizontal water level created in the sloshing chamber, with avaporizer heat exchange loop positioned in said water vaporizer chamberand surrounded by said water bath. The method may include circulatingthe liquid through the vaporizer heat exchange loop to vaporize theliquid.

According to another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention,there is provided a method of vaporizing multiple liquids, in a watervaporizer chamber supported by a floating substrate floating in a bodyof water, the water vaporizing chamber having a water vaporizer chamberhorizontal cross-sectional area with a sloshing chamber in liquidcommunication with and positioned on top of the water vaporizer chamber,wherein the sloshing chamber has a sloshing horizontal cross-sectionalarea that is substantially less than the water vaporizer horizontalcross-sectional area, wherein a water bath fills said water vaporizerchamber and said sloshing chamber such that the water vaporizer chamberis substantially full of water with the sloshing chamber partiallyfilled with water with a horizontal water level created in the sloshingchamber, with multiple vaporizer heat exchange loops immersed in saidwater vaporizer chamber and surrounded by said water bath. The methodmay include circulating each of the multiple liquids though at least oneof the multiple vaporizer heat exchange loops to vaporize the liquid.

According to another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention,there is provided a marinized water bath vaporizer system. The systemmay include a water vaporizer chamber having a water vaporizer chamberhorizontal cross-sectional area. The system may also include a sloshingchamber in liquid communication with and positioned on top of the watervaporizer chamber, wherein at a selected fill level the sloshing chamberhas a sloshing horizontal cross-sectional area that is substantiallyless than the water vaporizer horizontal cross-sectional area; and/or awater bath filling said water vaporizer chamber and said sloshingchamber such that the water vaporizer chamber is substantially full ofwater with the sloshing chamber partially filled with water to theselected fill level with a horizontal water-vapor interface created inthe sloshing chamber at the selected fill level, with the surface areaof the water at the inter face being substantially equal to the watervapor chamber horizontal cross-sectional area; and/or a heating systemproviding heat to the water bath. The system may also include avaporizer heat exchange loop immersed in said water vaporizer chamberand surrounded by said water bath. The system may also include a boiloff gas heat exchange loop immersed in said water vaporizer chamber andsurrounded by said water bath. The system may also include a surge tankfor receiving a fluid to be vaporized, with the fluid to be vaporizedseparating inside the surge tank into a surge tank liquid phase and asurge tank boil off gas phase; a fluid travel path defined from thesurge tank liquid phase to and through the vaporizer heat exchange loop;and, a boil off gas travel path defined from the surge tank boil off gasphase to and through the boil off gas heat exchange loop and then to theheating system where the boil off gas is consumed as fuel.

According to another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention,there is provided a floating marinized water bath vaporizer system thatis similar to the embodiment above, except that the substrate is afloating substrate floating in a body of water.

According to another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention,there is provided a travelling floating marinized water bath vaporizersystem that is similar to the two embodiments immediately above, exceptthat the substrate is a travelling floating substrate travelling on abody of water.

According to another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention,there is provided an anchored floating marinized water bath vaporizersystem that is similar to the three system embodiments immediatelyabove, except that the substrate is an anchored floating substrateanchored in a body of water.

According to another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention,there is provided an LNG carrier. This LNG carrier may include an LNGstorage tank. This LNG carrier may include a water bath vaporizer systemthat includes: i. a water vaporizer chamber having a water vaporizerchamber horizontal cross-sectional area; ii. a sloshing chamber inliquid communication with and positioned on top of the water vaporizerchamber, wherein at a selected fill level the sloshing chamber has asloshing horizontal cross-sectional area that is substantially less thanthe water vaporizer horizontal cross-sectional area; iii. water bathfilling said water vaporizer chamber and said sloshing chamber such thatthe water vaporizer chamber is substantially full of water with thesloshing chamber partially filled with water to the selected fill levelwith a horizontal water-vapor interface created in the sloshing chamberat the selected fill level, with the surface area of the water at theinface being substantially equal to the water vapor chamber horizontalcross-sectional area; iv. heating system providing heat to the waterbath; v. a vaporizer heat exchange loop immersed in said water vaporizerchamber and immersed in said water bath, said loop having an inlet endand an outlet end; vi. an inlet pipe extending from outside thevaporizer chamber to connect with the inlet end of said heat transferloop to carry a fluid to be heated into said loop; and/or vii. an outletpipe extending from said outlet ends to the outside of the vaporizerchamber to carry said fluid away from said loop after it has beenheated. The system may also include a liquid travel path defined fromthe LNG storage tank to the inlet pipe.

According to another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention,there is provided an LNG carrier that is very similar to the aboveembodiment except, the LNG storage tank contains LNG, with a first pumphaving a suction immersed in the LNG, and the is an LNG liquid travelpath defined from the first pump to the inlet pipe.

According to another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention,there is provided an LNG carrier that is very similar to the aboveembodiment except, the LNG storage tank contains LNG, with a first pumphaving a suction immersed in the LNG and creating an LNG dischargestream; there is a surge tank containing LNG received from the firstpump LNG discharge stream; and there is a second pump, in liquidcommunication with the LNG in the surge tank, with an LNG liquid travelpath from the surge tank, to the second pump to the inlet pipe.

These and other embodiments of the present invention will becomeapparent upon the review of this written specification, claims and/ordrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The following drawings illustrate some of the many possible non-limitingembodiments of this disclosure in order to provide a basic understandingof this disclosure. These drawings do not provide an extensive overviewof all embodiments of this disclosure. These drawings are not intendedto identify key or critical elements of the disclosure or to delineateor otherwise limit the scope of the claims. The following drawingsmerely present some non-limiting concepts of the disclosure in a generalform. Thus, for a detailed understanding of this disclosure, referenceshould be made to the following detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements havebeen given like numerals.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a prior art conventional waterbath vaporizer 100, showing vaporization coil bundle 102 residing inwater bath 116, heated by firetube 106 through which flows hot exhaustgas 105 from burner 108.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic representations of non-limiting embodimentsof marinized water bath vaporizers 200 and 250 of the present invention.The distinction between the two resides in the configuration of sloshattenuation drum 221.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of marinized vaporization system300 which includes (among other things) marinized water bath vaporizer200A. This marinized water bath vaporizer 200A includes many featuresthat are the same or similar to those of the conventional water bathvaporizer of FIG. 1 and/or to those of marinized water bath vaporizer200 in FIGS. 2 and 3. This marinized water bath vaporizer 200A furtherincludes a fuel gas coil bundle 331 though water bath 216 for heatingcold BOG fuel gas stream 342.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of marinized vaporization system370 that includes many features that are the same or similar to theconventional water bath vaporizer of FIG. 1, to those of marinized waterbath vaporizer 200 in FIGS. 2 and 3, and/or to those of the marinizedvaporization system 300 of FIG. 4. This marinized vaporization systemincludes a waste heat recovery unit 372 to recover heat from combustionexhaust gas 205 to preheat LNG 375.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of marinized vaporization system400 that includes many features that are the same or similar to those ofthe marinized vaporization system 300 of FIG. 4 and/or marinizedvaporization system 370 of FIG. 5. Like the marinized vaporizationsystem 370 of FIG. 4, marinized vaporization system 400 includes a wasteheat recovery unit 372 to recover heat from combustion exhaust gas 205,however, it is configured to re-heat cold water 407. Marinizedvaporization system 400 further includes an economizer exchanger 410that is configured to pre-heat LNG 412.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of marinized vaporization system450 that includes many features that are the same or similar to those ofthe marinized vaporization system 300 of FIG. 4, marinized vaporizationsystem 370 of FIG. 5, and/or marinized vaporization system 400 of FIG.6. In this marinized vaporization system 450, combustion exhaust gasstream 454 from gas generator 345 is provided to waste heat recoveryunit 452 to heat water stream 458 from water bath vaporizer 200A.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of marinized vaporization system300 of FIG. 4 having an alternative fuel gas source 210A, that may beused in combination with fuel gas stream 210 or as an alternative tofuel gas stream 210.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of marinized vaporization system300 of FIG. 4 having an alternative fuel gas source 210A, that may beused in combination with fuel gas stream 210 or as an alternative tofuel gas stream 210, and having BOG compressor 349 for handling BOGvapor.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of marinized vaporization system200A, which comprises multiple burners 208 and multiple vaporizationtubes 202, in what is a modified version of marinized vaporizationsystem 200 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of marinized vaporization system200B, which in addition to having multiple burners 208 and multiplevaporization tubes 202, also includes tube bundle 202A for taking LNG orcold BOG stream 222A to form warm fuel gas stream 223B, in what is amodified version of marinized vaporization system 200 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of floating marinized vaporizationsystem 390, which includes marinized vaporization system 300 of FIG. 4,and additionally, storage tank 391, transfer pump 395 positioned instorage tank 391 as shown, and floating substrate 393 which supports theentire system. BOG line 341 runs from storage tank 391 to surge tank 340as shown. LNG line 322 runs from pump 395 to surge tank 340 as shown.

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of floating marinized vaporizationsystem 397, which is very similar to system 390 of FIG. 12, except thattransfer pump 395 has been eliminated with high pressure pump 351replacing pump 395 in storage tank 391, and surge tank 340 have beeneliminated with storage tank 391 now serving as a surge tank. BOG line341 runs from storage tank 391 directly to cold BOG fuel gas stream 342as shown. LNG line 322 runs from pump 395 to vaporization coil bundle202 as shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to LNG, and to methods and apparatus forprocessing LNG. While the present invention does relate to variousoffshore applications, it also may have onshore applications. Morespecifically, regarding offshore applications, the present inventionrelates to, but is not limited to floating storage and regas vessels, tomethods of making and using same, and to LNG produced thereby.

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown an example of prior artconventional water bath vaporizer 100. As shown in FIG. 1, LNG stream122 enters vaporization coil bundle 102 at input end 102A with vaporizednatural gas stream 123 exiting vaporization coil bundle 102 at dischargeend 102B. Vaporization coil bundle resides in water bath 116 below waterlevel 117. Water 118 in water bath 116 is heated by firetube 106 throughwhich flows hot exhaust gas 105 from burner 108. As shown in FIG. 1,conventional air blower 113 provides air 111 to burner 108, with fuelgas 110 also being provided to burner 108. Heated water bath 116provides heat to vaporization coil 102. Certainly, water 118 may alsoinclude an anti-freezing agent as are commonly known in the art,including but not limited to ethylene glycol and propylene glycol.

At water level 117, water bath vaporizer 100 will have a givenhorizontal cross-sectional area. At this water level 117, water 118forms a water surface 119 at the interface between water 118 and vaporphase 103, with this water surface 119 having a water surface areasubstantially equal to the water bath cross-sectional area (at filllevel 117). The problem with prior art conventional water bath vaporizer100 is that use of it on a mobile or floating marine vessel would beproblematic as water 118 in water bath 116 would shift or flow back andforth with the movement of the marine vessel creating one or more waveson water surface 119. Depending on the severity of the created wave, itcould range from being annoying or distracting, to dangerous, todestructive. Without being limited by theory, the inventors believe thatthe larger the cross-sectional area of water surface 119 and/or thelarger the air gap, the more potentially destructive the resulting wave.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there are shown non-limiting examples ofa marinized water bath vaporizers 200 and 250 of the present invention.The distinction between the two resides in the configuration of sloshattenuation drum 221. Many of the features of this marinized water bathvaporizers 200 and 250 are the same or similar to those of theconventional water bath vaporizer of FIG. 1. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 2, LNG stream 222 enters vaporization coil bundle 202 at input end202A with vaporized natural gas stream 223 exiting vaporization coilbundle 202 at discharge end 202B. Vaporization coil bundle 202 residesin water bath 216 below water level 217. Water 218 in water bath 216 isheated by firetube 206 through which flows hot exhaust gas 205 fromburner 208. As shown in FIG. 3, conventional air blower 213 provides airstream 211 to burner 208, with fuel gas stream 210 also being providedto burner 208. Heated water bath 216 provides heat to vaporization coil202. At least one patentable feature over the prior art, includessloshing attenuation drum 221, reduced sloshing surface 223, and/orslosh attenuation baffles 225.

It should be understood that heating of water bath 216 may also beaccomplished by other methods, including steam systems and electricalheating systems.

At water level 217, slosh attenuation drum 221 will have a horizontalcross-sectional area. At this water level 217, water 218 forms a watersurface 219 at the interface between water 218 and vapor phase 203, withthis water surface 219 having a water surface area substantially equalto the slosh attenuation drum horizontal cross-sectional area (at filllevel 217). Water level 217 extends up and into sloshing attenuationdrum 221, and provides a reduced sloshing surface 217. Thus, reducedsloshing surface 217 limits the extent and/or size or any wave thatmight be generated because of movement of the marinized water bathvaporizers 200 or 250.

The general idea of the present invention is to utilize a sloshattenuation drum 221 that will have a horizontal cross-sectional area atthe given fill line that produces a water surface 219 that is suitablysmall to reduce the size of any wave created in slosh attenuation drum221.

Water bath 216 has a generally constant horizontal cross-sectional areawith respect to height, although because of the slight curvature of theends, appears to provide the largest horizontal cross-sectional area atabout ½ the height of water bath 216, that is, for a fill line about ½the way up the sides. Generally, when compared to the largest horizontalwater surface area that would be produced in water bath 216, the area ofwater surface 219 produced in slosh attenuation drum 221 should be atleast 0.1%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 075%, 1%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 4%, or 5% of thelargest cross-sectional area of water bath 216. Generally, when comparedto the largest horizontal water surface area that would be produced inwater bath 216, the area of water surface 219 produced in sloshattenuation drum 221 could be at any of the following, less than any ofthe following, or in a range from/to, any two of two of the following:0.1%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 075%, 1%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%,15%, 20%, 30%, 40% 50%, 60%, 70%, or 80% of the largest cross-sectionalarea of water bath 216. As non-limiting examples, 1%, 3%, 5%, 10%, 20%or 40%. As further non-limiting examples, less than 1%, less than 5%,less than 10%, or less than 50%. Non-limiting examples of ranges includefrom 1% to 20%, from 1% to 40%, from 3% to 10%, from 3% to 50%, from 5%to 70%.

Pitching of water bath vaporizer 200 will cause water level 217 to moverelative to the sides of slosh attenuation drum 221. For example,looking at FIG. 2, if the left side of water bath vaporizer 200 pitchedupward, and the right side downward, the left side of water level 217would move downward toward bottom 273, and the right side of water level217 would move upward. It is generally preferred that water level 217not move below bottom 273. Thus, water level 217 will generally be asufficient height 273 above slosh attenuation drum bottom 271, such thatwater level 217 will not go below bottom 273 during operations. Ofcourse, this height 273 could be engineered for “normal” operatingconditions, for “rough” operating conditions, or even for “extreme”operating conditions.

Further, the inventive method and apparatus described herein provide aseparate, unique, low cost and fast way to convert any LNGC to a FSRU.The method and apparatus may eliminate one or more of the seawatersystem, intermediate fluid circulation system, integration of theintermediate fluid heating system with the ship steam system andretrofitting of the ship electrical switchgear or switchboards. Thepresent invention may utilize any number of vaporizers, including waterbath vaporizers, submerged combustable vaporizers, open rack vaporizers,shell & tube vaporizers, ambient air vaporizers, direct electricvaporizers, steam vaporizers and water pot vaporizers. As a non-limitingexample, the method and apparatus may utilize an adaptation(marinization) of WBVs vaporizers (or marinization of any vaporizer forthat matter) for use on a LNGC/FSRU. WBVs are well known for onshore usewhere the bath vessel is stationary and not subjected to floating vesselmotions and accelerations. A conventional onshore style water bathvaporizer is not suitable for shipboard operations due to sloshing ofthe water surface within in the water bath vessel that can expose thevaporization tube bundles to sloshing wave forces (slamming) andtemporarily exposing the vaporization coils to unsubmerged and freezingconditions. Currently, it is not practical to use a WBV offshore,because the WBV must be significantly modified to be suitable for theaccelerations and ship motions subjected to the system from the floatingenvironment. The water bath vaporizer is marinized with severalinventive modifications for ship use. This may include the completefilling of the water bath tank and the addition of a small sloshattenuation drum connected or mounted above the tank to eliminate thelarge free surface of water in the tank. This modification significantlyreduces the sloshing/slamming forces and keeps all of the coilscontinuously submerged. Internal baffles may also be added in the bathto further mitigate sloshing. Modifications to the conventional WBV mayalso include marinization of the burner and combustion air systems toship type burners and controls with adequate safeguards suitable forcertification by classification agencies. The module support structureand water bath shell and saddle supports may also be strengthened anddesigned for the high accelerations and ship motions for the floatingenvironment. The entire regas system may be fabricated into structuralmodules, placed on the bow (or other suitable location on the LNGC) andstructurally supported above the deck, allowing free access to winches,blocks, tackle, lines, fairleads and other required ship systems.

For one non-limiting embodiment, the vaporizing system may include thefollowing items:

1. Marinized water bath vaporizer that includes one or more of themodifications as described above;

2. A high-pressure LNG pump system to raise the pressure of the LNG tothe desired vaporization pressure;

a. For a new build FSRUs and extensive conversion of existing LNGCs, theHP pump may be installed in the ship LNG containment tanks withdedicated high-pressure piping to the vaporization module.

b. For simple conversion of an existing LNGC to an FSRU or a shuttleregas vessel (SRV), a simple, low pressure, LNG pump drum is connectedto the existing LNGC liquid and vapor manifold piping and kept full bythe existing vessel cargo pumps. The high pressure pumps may be externalvessel mounted pumps fed by the tank or be submerged inside the LNGCcontainment tanks.

3. A liquid phase recondenser for condensing a portion or all of theboil-off-gas (BOG) generated by heat leaking into the LNG from theenvironment and from LNG pump inefficiencies;

4. Fuel gas for the WBV burners and dedicated gensets will be suppliedfrom the LNGC/FSRU forcing fuel gas vaporizers, or from the LNGC's HighDuty (HD) or Low Duty (LD) BOG compressors or by a LP vaporizing pass inthe WBV;

5. Power supplied from the LNGC/FSRU or from a dedicated genset packageon the regas modules;

6. Natural gas metering package for measuring and custody transfer forthe vaporized gas; and/or,

7. Discharge manifold for access to shoreside high pressure marine arms.

Certainly, the present invention contemplates that the vaporizing unitas described herein may be manufactured “new” or may be obtained bymodifying an old vaporizing unit. Thus, an inventive method of thepresent invention includes the modification of an old vaporizing unit toobtain the inventive vaporizing unit as described herein.

In some embodiments, submerged combustion vaporizers may be moreefficient than the waterbath vaporizers, but in some circumstances mightpresent problems with bath chemistry. Another non-limiting embodimentwould be to pump water from the waterbath to a waste heat recovery uniton the gas turbine to reduce the fuel requirement for the burners on thewaterbath vaporizer. This allows significant heat to be added to thewater bath with burning the fuel. This improves the efficiency of thewaterbath vaporizer to be much better than a submerged combustionvaporizer with all the same benefits. This radically cuts the energyconsumption and the carbon footprint. This (and other embodiments) arenot just limited to offshore and FSRU applications, but may also beuseful in onshore applications too.

Referring additionally to FIG. 4, there is shown a non-limitingembodiment of marinized vaporization system 300 which includes (amongother things) marinized water bath vaporizer 200A. This marinized waterbath vaporizer 200A includes many features that are the same or similarto those of the conventional water bath vaporizer of FIG. 1 and/or tothose of marinized water bath vaporizer 200 in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thismarinized water bath vaporizer 200A further includes a fuel gas coilbundle 331 though water bath 216 for heating cold bog fuel gas stream342. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, LNG stream 222 entersvaporization coil bundle 202 at input end 202A with vaporized naturalgas stream 223 exiting vaporization coil bundle 202 at discharge end202B. Vaporization coil bundle 202 resides in water bath 216 below waterlevel 217. Water 218 in water bath 216 is heated by firetube 206 throughwhich flows hot exhaust gas from burner 208. As shown in FIG. 4,conventional air blower 213 provides air stream 211 to burner 208, withwarm LP fuel gas stream 210 also being provided to burner 208. Heatedwater bath 216 provides heat to vaporization coil 202 and fuel gasbundle 331. At least one patentable feature over the prior art, includessloshing attenuation drum 222 and/or slosh attenuation baffles 225.Water level 217 extends up and into sloshing attenuation drum 221, andprovides a reduced sloshing surface 217. Thus, reduced sloshing surface217 limits the extent and/or size or any wave that might be generatedbecause of movement of the marinized water bath vaporizer 200A.

LNG stream 322 and bog vapor stream 341 are both directed into LNG surgedrum 340 which has a vapor portion 340A and a liquid portion 340B. LNGstream 353 is provided to high pressure LNG pump 351, which provides LNGstream 222 to vaporization coil bundle 202 at input end 202A withvaporized natural gas steam 223 exiting vaporization coil bundle 202 atdischarge end 202B.

Usually, BOG is a nuisance, and requires utilization of a BOGcompressor, a recondenser, and/or a re-liquifier. The present inventionovercomes the general problem with BOG and easily utilizes it as a fuelsource. Cold BOG fuel gas stream 342 is directed though fuel gas coilbundle 302, from which it exits as a heated fuel gas stream 343 to becompressed by fuel gas compressor 348. This compressor 348 provides warmLP fuel gas stream 310 to burner 208, and also provides warm LP fuel gasstream 346 to gas fueled generator set 345.

Gas fueled generator 345 may be configured to provide electrical powerto high pressure LNG pump 351, fuel gas compressor 348, and/orcombustion air blower 211.

Referring additionally to FIG. 8, there is shown a modification ofmarinized vaporization system 300 of FIG. 4 having an alternative fuelgas source 210A, that may be used in combination with fuel gas stream210 or as an alternative to fuel gas stream 210.

Referring additionally to FIG. 9, there is shown a modification ofmarinized vaporization system 300 of FIG. 4 having an alternative fuelgas source 210A, that may be used in combination with fuel gas stream210 or as an alternative to fuel gas stream 210, and having BOGcompressor 349 for handling BOG vapor.

Referring additionally to FIG. 5, there is shown a non-limitingembodiment of marinized vaporization system 370 that includes manyfeatures that are the same or similar to the conventional water bathvaporizer of FIG. 1, to those of marinized water bath vaporizer 200 inFIGS. 2 and 3, and/or to those of the marinized vaporization system 300of FIG. 4. This marinized vaporization system includes a waste heatrecovery unit 372 to recover heat from combustion exhaust gas 205 topreheat LNG 375.

Referring additionally to FIG. 6, there is shown a non-limitingembodiment of marinized vaporization system 400 that includes manyfeatures that are the same or similar to those of the marinizedvaporization system 300 of FIG. 4 and/or marinized vaporization system370 of FIG. 5. Like the marinized vaporization system 370 of FIG. 4,marinized vaporization system 400 includes a waste heat recovery unit372 to recover heat from combustion exhaust gas 205, however, it isconfigured to re-heat cold water 407. Marinized vaporization system 400further includes an economizer exchanger 410 that is configured topre-heat LNG 412. Hot water pump 402 provides hot water stream 405 fromwater bath vaporizer 200A to economizer exchanger 410. Cold water stream407 from economizer exchanger 410 is then routed to water heat recoveryunit 372, exiting as hot water stream 409 which is routed back to waterbath vaporizer 200A.

Gas fueled generator 345 may further be configured to also provideelectrical power to hot water pump 402, in addition to providingelectrical power to high pressure LNG pump 351, fuel gas compressor 348,and/or combustion air blower 211.

Referring additionally to FIG. 7, there is shown a non-limitingembodiment of marinized vaporization system 450 that includes manyfeatures that are the same or similar to those of the marinizedvaporization system 300 of FIG. 4, marinized vaporization system 370 ofFIG. 5, and/or marinized vaporization system 400 of FIG. 6.

In this marinized vaporization system 450, combustion exhaust gas stream454 from gas generator 345 is provided to waste heat recovery unit 452to heat water stream 458 from water bath vaporizer 200A. Water stream458 from water bath vaporizer 450 is pumped by circulation pump 457 towaste heat recovery unit, where it is heated by exhaust stream 454. Theresulting heated water stream 459 returns to water bath vaporizer, andthe resulting combustion exhaust gas stream 455 may be further utilizedor vented.

Gas fueled generator 345 may further be configured to also provideelectrical power to water circulation pump 457, in addition to providingelectrical power to high pressure LNG pump 351, fuel gas compressor 348,and/or combustion air blower 211.

It should also be understood that any of the above non-limitingembodiments may incorporate multiple burners that may or may not beutilized with multiple fire tubes. For example, referring additionallyto FIG. 10, there is shown a schematic representation of marinizedvaporization system 200A, which comprises multiple burners 208 andmultiple vaporization tubes 202, in what is a modified version ofmarinized vaporization system 200 of FIG. 2. An another example,referring additionally to FIG. 11, there is shown a schematicrepresentation of marinized vaporization system 200B, which in additionto having multiple burners 208 and multiple vaporization tubes 202, alsoincludes tube bundle 202A for taking LNG or cold BOG stream 222A to formwarm fuel gas stream 223B, in what is a modified version of marinizedvaporization system 200 of FIG. 2.

Referring additionally to FIG. 12 there is shown a schematicrepresentation of floating marinized vaporization system 390, whichincludes marinized vaporization system 300 of FIG. 4, and additionally,storage tank 391, transfer pump 395 positioned in storage tank 391 asshown, and floating substrate 393 which supports the entire system. BOGline 341 runs from storage tank 391 to surge tank 340 as shown. LNG line322 runs from pump 395 to surge tank 340 as shown.

Referring additionally to FIG. 13 there is shown a schematicrepresentation of floating marinized vaporization system 397, which isvery similar to system 390 of FIG. 12, except that transfer pump 395 hasbeen eliminated with high pressure pump 351 replacing pump 395 instorage tank 391, and surge tank 340 have been eliminated with storagetank 391 now serving as a surge tank. BOG line 341 runs from storagetank 391 directly to cold BOG fuel gas stream 342 as shown. LNG line 322runs from pump 395 to vaporization coil bundle 202 as shown.

While these non-limiting embodiments have been illustrated as having asingle vaporization coil bundle, it should be understood that multiplevaporization coil bundles may be utilized, and that these multiple coilbundles may or may not being processing the same material. As anon-limiting example, LNG, liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, liquid argon,liquid ethylene, liquid ethane, liquid hydrocarbons, liquid CO2, liquidpropane, various liquid polymer monomers and/or other cryogenic liquidsas desired, including any of the foregoing in super critical phase, maybe processed at the same time, in the same water bath vaporizer, buteach in different vaporization coil bundles.

While the present invention has been illustrated mainly by reference toLNG, it should be understood that it also finds utility with liquidoxygen, liquid nitrogen, liquid argon, liquid ethylene, liquid ethane,liquid hydrocarbons, liquid CO2, liquid propane, various liquid polymermonomers and/or other cryogenic liquids as desired, including any of theforegoing in super critical phase. Regarding the above non-limitingembodiments of marinized water bath vaporizers and systems as describedabove and illustrated in FIGS. 2-13, it should be understood that any ofthe specific features as shown in any of the embodiments may be combinedas desired to create even further non-limiting embodiments. In otherwords, any of the above embodiments may incorporate one or more featuresfrom one or more of the other embodiments. Regarding the abovenon-limiting embodiments of marinized water bath vaporizers and systemsas described above and illustrated in FIGS. 2-13, it should beunderstood that any of the specific features as shown in any of theembodiments may be combined as desired to create even furthernon-limiting embodiments. In other words, any of the above embodimentsmay incorporate one or more features from one or more of the otherembodiments.

Without being limited, various embodiments of the present invention arebelieved to be an improvement over the prior art for at least any one ofthe following reasons.

Regarding Environmental Concerns with the Heat Source, with existingFSRU technology:

Seawater: Directly kills sea life (small fishes, crustaceans and larvae)by impingement on intake screens, chlorination biocides to killbiological life in the seawater piping to eliminate fouling. Locallyreduces seawater temperature where it is discharged back into the oceanthereby adversely changing environment for spawning indigenous species.Many environmentally sensitive sites now prohibit the use of seawaterheat source for LNG vaporization. However, with various embodiments ofthe present invention, the present marinized WBVs may be fueled withvaporized LNG or BOG. This improvement totally eliminates the use andpermitting requirements for large volumes of seawater and chlorinationthereof and does not affect the seawater temperature in anyway.

Regarding the Seawater System, the prior art requires large intake seachest in the hull, intake screens, chlorination generators, seawaterpumps, seawater piping, seawater analyzers and environmentaldocumentation of all aspects of seawater use. However, variousembodiments of the present invention eliminates all equipment andsystems for the large flow of seawater required for seawater heating forvaporization.

Steam Generation: fueling boilers with heavy fuel oil or marine dieselfuel thereby polluting the air with soot, particulate, oxides of sulfurand nitrogen and unburned hydrocarbon. Inefficient heating of the glycolwater intermediate fluid. However, various embodiments of the presentinventive Marinized WBVs do not require steam generation or theconsumption of HFO or MDO. Marinized WBVs are fueled by sulfur freenatural gas from vaporized LNG or BOG. Highly efficient, low NOX burnersare used to minimize air pollution associated with vaporizing the LNG.

Regarding using ethylene glycol water as the Intermediate Fluid: theprior art systems require sourcing, handling, storage and potentialspill of ethylene glycol that is toxic to sea life. Further, prior artsystems require seawater/ethylene glycol water heat exchangers, pumps,filters, piping, drain tanks and blowdown treating. However, variousembodiments of the present invention eliminate all equipment and systemsassociated with ethylene glycol water intermediate fluid.

Regarding using propane as the intermediate Fluid: Prior art systemsrequire the sourcing, handline, storage and use of the intoxicant andhighly flammable and explosive hydrocarbon. Furthermore, significantsafeguards are required to mitigate risks. However, various embodimentsof the present invention eliminate all equipment and systems associatedwith propane intermediate fluid.

Regarding steam system integration, the prior art systems require asignificant integration of ship steam system incurring significantcomplexity, cost and schedule. However, with various embodiments of thepresent invention the marinized WBVs utilize no steam or steamcondensate thereby eliminating any integration requirement for the steamsystem.

Regarding electrical system integration, the prior art systems requirepowering of the seawater pumps, LNG pumps and BOG compressors requiressignificant increase in power generation, switchgear, motor controlsinto the ship electrical power system control systems into the shipincurring significant complexity, cost and schedule. However, withvarious embodiments of the present invention the marinized WBVs requireno integration into the ships electrical system. This allows ship ownersthe option of totally isolating the power generation from the shipsystems and operate independent of the ship systems. This also allowsshipyards and LNGC owners to add regas as a simple option to any LNGCorder or make a very simple conversion of the LNG by the addition ofprefabricated regas module with all required power generation included.

Regarding integration with LNG and vapor system, the prior art requiressignificant integration with ship containment, LNG and vapor systems.Often requiring entry and installation of LNG pumps and piping into theLNGC containment tanks and additional deck piping to the vaporizers.However, with various embodiments of the present invention, themarinized WBVs require minimum integration in the ship containment LNGand vapor systems. The WBV system requires only simple, above deckconnections to the LNG and vapor manifold piping.

While the present invention has been described as being useful forprocessing LNG and vaporizing it into natural gas, it should beunderstood that the present invention is also useful for vaporizing anyliquid into a gas/vapor. Such liquids include those that are liquids atambient conditions, or those that are liquids at non-ambient conditionsincluding cryogenic liquids.

Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provide forvaporizing systems that may include may utilize any type of vaporizers,including water bath vaporizers, submerged combustable vaporizers, openrack vaporizers, shell & tube vaporizers, ambient air vaporizers, directelectric vaporizers, steam vaporizers and water pot vaporizers.

Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provide formarinized vaporizing systems that may include may utilize any type ofmarinized vaporizers, including marinized water bath vaporizers,marinized submerged combustable vaporizers, marinized open rackvaporizers, marinized shell & tube vaporizers, marinized ambient airvaporizers, marinized direct electric vaporizers, marinized steamvaporizers and marinized water pot vaporizers.

Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provide for asmall footprint vaporizing system as described herein.

Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provide for afloating system that includes at least the vaporizing system asdescribed herein.

Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provide forfloating storage and regas vessel, which includes at least thevaporizing system as described herein.

Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provide for atank with reduced/minimized sloshing surface as described herein.

Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provide for atank (as described herein) that is supported on a ship, FSR, barge,platform, semi-submersible, marine vessel, etc.

Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provide for aconverted marine vessel that includes that includes the vaporizingsystem as described herein and/or any of the other modifications asdescribed herein.

Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provide forconverted vaporizing unit that includes at least one of themodifications described herein.

Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provide forlarger systems (i.e., terminal, pipeline, processing facility,transportation system, etc) that includes any of the systems, vessels orunits described herein.

Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provide formethods of making any of the systems, vessels or units described herein.

Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provide formethods of using/operating any of the systems, vessels or unitsdescribed herein.

Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provide formethods of processing a liquid utilizing any of the systems, vessels orunits described herein.

Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provide formethods of converting a marine vessel, that includes adding thevaporizing system as described herein and/or making any of the othermodifications as described herein.

Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provide for amethod of converting a vaporizing unit that includes making at least oneof the modifications as described herein.

Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provide formethods of processing LNG using any of the systems, vessels or units asdescribed herein.

Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provide formethods of processing LNG while in transport utilizing anyapparatus/methods of the present invention.

Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provide forprocessed LNG and/or natural gas obtained by/with any of the systems,vessels, units or methods as described herein.

Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention provide for anyand all methods, apparatus, and/or products, and/or any parts orportions thereof, all as disclosed and described herein.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe present invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changeswill readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired tolimit the present invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described.

Those skilled in the art will recognize other embodiments of the presentinvention which may be drawn from the illustrations and the teachingsherein. To the extent that such alternative embodiments are so drawn, itis intended that they shall fall within the ambit of protection of theclaims appended hereto.

Having disclosed the present invention in the foregoing specificationand accompanying drawings in such a clear and concise manner, thoseskilled in the art will readily understand and easily practice thepresent invention.

I claim:
 1. A floating marinized water bath vaporizer comprising: A. A floating substrate floating in a body of water; B. a water vaporizer chamber supported by the substrate and having a water vaporizer chamber horizontal cross-sectional area; C. a sloshing chamber in liquid communication with and positioned on top of the water vaporizer chamber, wherein at a selected fill level the sloshing chamber has a sloshing horizontal cross-sectional area that is substantially less than the water vaporizer horizontal cross-sectional area; D. water bath filling said water vaporizer chamber and said sloshing chamber such that the water vaporizer chamber is substantially full of water with the sloshing chamber partially filled with water to the selected fill level with a horizontal water-vapor interface created in the sloshing chamber at the selected fill level, with the surface area of the water at the inface being substantially equal to the water vapor chamber horizontal cross-sectional area; E. heating system providing heat to the water bath; F. a vaporizer heat exchange loop immersed in said water vaporizer chamber and immersed in said water bath, said loop having an inlet end and an outlet end; G. an inlet pipe extending from outside the vaporizer chamber to connect with the inlet end of said heat transfer loop to carry a fluid to be heated into said loop; and, H. an outlet pipe extending from said outlet ends to the outside of the vaporizer chamber to carry said fluid away from said loop after it has been heated.
 2. A travelling floating marinized water bath vaporizer comprising: A. A travelling floating substrate travelling on a body of water; B. a water vaporizer chamber supported by the substrate and having a water vaporizer chamber horizontal cross-sectional area; C. a sloshing chamber in liquid communication with and positioned on top of the water vaporizer chamber, wherein at a selected fill level the sloshing chamber has a sloshing horizontal cross-sectional area that is substantially less than the water vaporizer horizontal cross-sectional area; D. water bath filling said water vaporizer chamber and said sloshing chamber such that the water vaporizer chamber is substantially full of water with the sloshing chamber partially filled with water to the selected fill level with a horizontal water-vapor interface created in the sloshing chamber at the selected fill level, with the surface area of the water at the inface being substantially equal to the water vapor chamber horizontal cross-sectional area; E. heating system providing heat to the water bath; F. a vaporizer heat exchange loop immersed in said water vaporizer chamber and immersed in said water bath, said loop having an inlet end and an outlet end; G. an inlet pipe extending from outside the vaporizer chamber to connect with the inlet end of said heat transfer loop to carry a fluid to be heated into said loop; and, H. an outlet pipe extending from said outlet ends to the outside of the vaporizer chamber to carry said fluid away from said loop after it has been heated.
 3. An anchored floating marinized water bath vaporizer comprising: A. An anchored floating substrate anchored in a body of water; B. a water vaporizer chamber supported by the substrate and having a water vaporizer chamber horizontal cross-sectional area; C. a sloshing chamber in liquid communication with and positioned on top of the water vaporizer chamber, wherein at a selected fill level the sloshing chamber has a sloshing horizontal cross-sectional area that is substantially less than the water vaporizer horizontal cross-sectional area; D. water bath filling said water vaporizer chamber and said sloshing chamber such that the water vaporizer chamber is substantially full of water with the sloshing chamber partially filled with water to the selected fill level with a horizontal water-vapor interface created in the sloshing chamber at the selected fill level, with the surface area of the water at the inface being substantially equal to the water vapor chamber horizontal cross-sectional area; E. heating system providing heat to the water bath; F. a vaporizer heat exchange loop positioned in said water vaporizer chamber and immersed in said water bath, said loop having an inlet end and an outlet end; G. an inlet pipe extending from outside the vaporizer chamber to connect with the inlet end of said heat transfer loop to carry a fluid to be heated into said loop; and, H. an outlet pipe extending from said outlet ends to the outside of the vaporizer chamber to carry said fluid away from said loop after it has been heated.
 4. A method of vaporizing a liquid, in a water vaporizer chamber supported by a floating substrate floating in a body of water, the water vaporizing chamber having a water vaporizer chamber horizontal cross-sectional area with a sloshing chamber in liquid communication with and positioned on top of the water vaporizer chamber, wherein the sloshing chamber has a sloshing horizontal cross-sectional area that is substantially less than the water vaporizer horizontal cross-sectional area, wherein a water bath fills said water vaporizer chamber and said sloshing chamber such that the water vaporizer chamber is substantially full of water with the sloshing chamber partially filled with water with a horizontal water level created in the sloshing chamber, with a vaporizer heat exchange loop positioned in said water vaporizer chamber and surrounded by said water bath, the method comprising: A. Circulating the liquid through the vaporizer heat exchange loop to vaporize the liquid.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the sloshing chamber has a sloshing horizontal cross-sectional area that is less than 25% of the water vaporizer horizontal cross-sectional area.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the sloshing chamber has a sloshing horizontal cross-sectional area that is less than 10% of the water vaporizer horizontal cross-sectional area.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the sloshing chamber has a sloshing horizontal cross-sectional area that is less than 5% of the water vaporizer horizontal cross-sectional area.
 8. A method of vaporizing multiple liquids, in a water vaporizer chamber supported by a floating substrate floating in a body of water, the water vaporizing chamber having a water vaporizer chamber horizontal cross-sectional area with a sloshing chamber in liquid communication with and positioned on top of the water vaporizer chamber, wherein the sloshing chamber has a sloshing horizontal cross-sectional area that is substantially less than the water vaporizer horizontal cross-sectional area, wherein a water bath fills said water vaporizer chamber and said sloshing chamber such that the water vaporizer chamber is substantially full of water with the sloshing chamber partially filled with water with a horizontal water level created in the sloshing chamber, with multiple vaporizer heat exchange loops immersed in said water vaporizer chamber and surrounded by said water bath, the method comprising: A. Circulating each of the multiple liquids though at least one of the multiple vaporizer heat exchange loops to vaporize the liquid.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the sloshing chamber has a sloshing horizontal cross-sectional area that is less than 25% of the water vaporizer horizontal cross-sectional area.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the sloshing chamber has a sloshing horizontal cross-sectional area that is less than 10% of the water vaporizer horizontal cross-sectional area.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the sloshing chamber has a sloshing horizontal cross-sectional area that is less than 5% of the water vaporizer horizontal cross-sectional area. 